February 20, 2009 by demarcationville
I’m not a regular television viewer. (This isn’t one of those highbrow I’m-too-good-for-teevee things. It has more to do with the fact that, when we watch prime time, the kids tend to notice movie promos or news teasers, both of which lead to uncomfortable questions, such as “what is a sexually-intense thriller?” and “why do people kidnap kids?“ So yeah, it’s easier to stick with Disney or Nick where the characters are fictitious, fashionable, perfectly safe, and seemingly sexless.)
However, after I read local inkslinger Joel Spears’ missive about the 20/20 special “Children of the Mountains,” which aired last week, I knew I’d have to track it down and watch. Continue Reading »
Posted in Culture, The South | Tagged 20/20, ABC, Appalachia, Children of the Mountains, Diane Sawyer, distortion, influence, media, perception | 18 Comments »
February 15, 2009 by demarcationville
Hank Hayes covered the Rogersville/Hawkins County Chamber of Commerce legislative breakfast Saturday morning, where Phil Roe discussed the stimulus bill.
“We got it at 9 o’clock yesterday morning and voted at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon,” Roe said of the bill. “No one has read this bill. I can promise you not one senator, not one representative in the United States Congress has read that.”
[skip]
The federal government, Roe said, can’t keep up with disbursements from the multibillion-dollar financial industry bailout passed by Congress last year.
“If I sent my kids to McDonald’s with a hundred dollar bill and they bought a couple hamburgers, I’d want to know where the change is. … Right now we don’t know where the (bailout) change is,” Roe said.
Full report here.
Continue Reading »
Posted in Economy, The Funnies, politics | 4 Comments »
February 12, 2009 by demarcationville
TRW Automotive in Rogersville is in the process of calling back hourly employees, who were temporarily laid-off early last year, for the purpose of a plant-wide permanent layoff of approximately 40-50 workers, which will begin next week. The local factory will eliminate it’s third shift, and remaining workers will be shifted to the floor to fill vacant positions and be forced to take a pay-cut.
Times-New article is here.
Continue Reading »
Posted in Economy, community | Tagged layoffs, recessions downturns and cutbacks: oh my!, TRW Automotive | Leave a Comment »
February 12, 2009 by demarcationville
The crazy people were gone. There was chicken for lunch, and cherry cobbler.
He made a 100 on his stuff. Just different stuff. You know, stuff.
He made a card with Mr. Bellamy’s face on it. He likes Mr. Bellamy… but he likes Ms. Cole better.
It’s not because she’s pretty, She knows stuff too.
He might have to make her a card, and did I get Ms. Collins’ a Valentine?
He played soccer outside at recess. Cool Kid left early.
Ms. Katie stayed in their class for a minute. Ms. Katie has Skittles.
Monday is President’s Day There’s no school. He knows all about Presidents.
Obama is the 44th President His wife’s name is Michelle.
George Bush was the 43rd President. He invaded the Alamo to attack terror.
Taft was real fat. He got stuck in the bathtub.
Jimmy Carter grew peanuts and gave them to the poor.
Peanuts are legumes.
Ronald Reagan was the best President in the history of the world.
He had a pet monkey and he was a `Publican.
Yep, I’d say we’re good.
Posted in Hawkins County | Tagged Conversations with the Kids, Hawkins Elementary School, Presidents' Day, Remember the Alamo | Leave a Comment »
February 11, 2009 by demarcationville
A group of approximately six parents, with a few occasional drop-ins, picketed outside Hawkins Elementary School to protest the fact that 4th grade science teacher, Veleka Setsor, is still in the classroom. (More photos here) Setsor was charged last week with aggravated assault following an argument with her 18-year old daughter. The Hawkins County school system, in compliance with Tennessee state law, is conducting an investigation into the matter. Until the issue is resolved, an aide has been placed in the classroom with Setsor.
The small protest, however, is making big news. A WJHL camera man was on-scene earlier. According to one parent, WYCB has also agreed to cover the event. Joel Spears from the Rogersville Review was on hand with his camera. And Jeff Bobo at the Times-News had a lengthy piece online this morning, although I think the reference to HC Maintenance Supervisor Ralph Hurd, is out of place. (Typically, maintenance supervisors are not protected by state tenure laws.)
I was asked outright by the parents if I approved of the protest. I don’t. I appreciate what they’re doing and understand they have every right to do it; however, it is my opinion that they are aiming their frustrations at the wrong level of government. I also think a protest is probably more disruptive than constructive.
I asked every parent present if they had offered to volunteer in the school, perhaps in Ms. Setsor’s classroom. None had, although Ms. Norma, who has a special needs child in third grade, said she is a frequent visitor to the school. Norma also tells me that the group has been invited to the Board of Education meeting, which will be held tomorrow, by board member Holly Helton.
Inside the building, things seemed to be business as usual. Principal Barry Bellamy said a few of the children *had noticed the protesters, but it didn’t seem to be creating a problem.
UPDATED BELOW Continue Reading »
Posted in Crime Court and things involving lawyers category, Hawkins County, In the news | Tagged activism, classroom, Hawkins County, Hawkins County Elementary, Hawkins County Schools, parenting, Parents, picket signs, protests, Teacher Tenure, Veleka Setsor | 2 Comments »
February 9, 2009 by demarcationville
UPDATE BELOW
A persistent little reporter from WJHL created quite a stir in Hawkins County this afternoon when she spent some time bouncing around the Hawkins Elementary School car-rider’s pick-up line asking parents what they thought about last Tuesday’s (2/3) arrest of the 4th grade Science/Social Studies teacher.
Most of them knew nothing about it. Continue Reading »
Posted in Hawkins County, In the news | Tagged Hawkins County Schools, Hawkins Elementary, Teacher Tenure, Tennessee State Tenure Laws, Veleka Setsor, WJHL | 2 Comments »
February 5, 2009 by demarcationville
I normally don’t keep up with the Tennessee Democratic Party. It’s not that I have anything against Democrats. It’s just that I live in East Tennessee. This means, even if I wanted to embrace my Democraticyishness, it’d be pointless to do so. For the record, I don’t want to embrace my Democraticyishness… any more than I want to give Bill Haslam money.
But this caught my attention.
Yesterday, progressive bloggers across the state of Tennessee launched an online fundraising campaign for the Tennessee Democratic Party. The campaign was apparently organized by newly elected party chair, Chip Forrester, who has promised to expand the state party’s grassroots organizing effort, and well-known KnoxViews blogger, R. Neal (an excellent advisor for such an expansion, I think.)
They’d hoped to raise $1000 by this Friday. With approximately 18-20 bloggers participating, they hit the goal within “FOUR HOURS AND 20 MINUTES!” The amount was increased $2000, goal met, and has now been upped to $3000. (Last time I checked, they were roughly $300 short of that $3000 with several hours remaining. I also noticed they went from 30+ supporters to 70 within a relatively short period of time.)
Go ahead. Scoff Republicans. After all, this isn’t a vast amount of money. (It might buy a ticket or two to one of those GOP events.) And the fact is state Republicans have always recognized the benefits of online political communities and have relied upon them immensely to help spread information and, yes, sometimes inaccuracies. Whatever works, right?
Still, given the small number of participants, the amount of time in which they organized the campaign and raised the money, and the fact that they did so in absence of any upcoming election (which tends to create a sense of urgency in donors), the effort becomes far more laudable, don’t you think? You may also want to take note of the fact that the Dem’s are expanding their network of supporters. Don’t forget that.
It might be important later.
Posted in Tennessee, politics | Tagged Blogging Bloggers, fund raising, Tennessee Democratic Party, blog-a-thon, The Internets | 10 Comments »
February 4, 2009 by demarcationville
* Hawkins County schools will be closed again tomorrow (Thursday 2/5/09.) Head here to keep track of other local closings, cancellations and delays.
* Traffic in town is slow. The main roads are clear, but the sidewalks are slippery – at least I assume they are since I saw a fella in a suit take a spill en route to the courthouse earlier today. I assumed he was a slick-shoed lawyer. So, I laughed a little. The weather has also failed to slow down local Wal-Mart shoppers. The store was busy this afternoon with the usual two check-out lanes open. You know, I suspect if a meteor hits the earth and we all turn into zombies, we will instinctively gravitate to Wal-Mart. Shoppers waiting in long check-out lines or those distracted by rollback prices will be easy pickin’s. In the event of a meteor-related disaster, avoid Wal-Mart. Write that down somewhere, so you will remember.
*Also, don’t try to do doughnuts in your SUV. Just don’t. Write that down too.
*Several Persia Utility District customers lost water today after a main line was accidentally punctured as (other) workers tried to bury cable. The ladies in the main office say it might be awhile before the issue is resolved. In lay terms this means – suck some snow, honey, and don’t hold your breath. We’re pushing up on three hours without water now, which is fine. I’m pleased to have heat… and somewhat relieved that the pipes aren’t frozen on my end and/or I didn’t forget to pay the bill.
Posted in 3909580, Hawkins County, Weather | Tagged school closings and delays, utilities, Walmart and other attempts at world domination, Weather | Leave a Comment »
